Abstract: The paper brings together two linked arguments. First, designing streets and spaces for walking is not in itself sufficient to ensure that people will actually walk. To achieve streets with people in them on foot is necessary to take a wider urban planning approach in which attention is paid to the context of the street. Second, it is argued that resources devoted to the development of car-based areas means that we miss the opportunity to develop new walkable areas. The paper argues a change in the style of developments is needed to enable higher levels of activity on foot. It sets out five requirements for this to be achieved, including people-oriented street design, as advocated in Manual for Streets, the latest guidance from the British Government. The paper concludes that providing high levels of car access is incompatible with walkable neighbourhoods. A choice has to be made when planning new developments, between a form that supports walking, and one that supports motorised travel. We cannot have both because the two forms are incompatible. The author's view is that there is an urgent need to shift to urban forms that nurture walking, and which therefore provide us with convivial streets and spaces.
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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